SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS: NA

The primary indication of an IED will be a change in the environment (something new on the route that was not there yesterday). Vigilant observation for these subtle indicators can increase the likelihood of IED detection by friendly forces before detonation.

1. Locations

Previous IED Sites

Frequently Traveled and Predictable Routes

Boundary Turnaround Points

Under Bridges

Culverts

Sharp Turns/Choke Points/Blind Spots

Unusual Behavior Patterns. Changes in community patterns, such as noticeably fewer people or vehicles in a normally busy area, open windows, or the absence of women or children.

Videotaping. Videotaping ordinary activities or military actions. Enemies using IEDs often digitally record their activities for use as recruitment or training tools.

Suspicious Objects. Markers by the side of the road such as tires, rock piles, ribbon, or tape that may identify an IED location to the local population or serve as an aiming reference. The enemy may leave behind visual indicators of an emplaced IED by accident or, in some cases, on purpose to inform the local population or for use as an aiming reference point.

New or Out of Place Objects. Objects in an environment such as rocks, dirt piles, construction, dead animals, or trash.